Deans

Academic Deans are considered the chief academic and administrative officers of their respective colleges, and they report directly to the Provost.  Deans have specific responsibilities for planning and developing the policies and procedures to meet current and long-range goals of the college that align with those of the university.  They supervise department chairs and faculty members in their areas and advocate for the needs of their faculty and student body. The Provost can either appoint a current faculty member of the college as Dean or can authorize a search to hire a qualified, external candidate.  Full-time, tenured faculty at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor are eligible to serve as a Dean of a college.  If a vacancy occurs, the Provost has the option to assign a non-tenured, but ranked faculty member as an Interim Dean, if necessary, until a search has been completed for a successor.

The academic Dean has three broad areas of responsibility: leadership, management, and advocacy.

Leadership

1. Provide leadership in fostering academic excellence in teaching, service, and professional activities.
2. Ensure academic programs, both current and future, that challenge and encourage students in inquiry and application.
3. Assist with the development and implementation of strategic plans of the institution.
4. Allocate resources and responsibility to manage the school/college to meet institutional goals and academic program expectations.

Management

1. Be responsible to the Provost for effective operations of the college (to be inclusive of, but not restricted to, annual academic reporting, appropriate delegation of responsibilities, performing select duties during summer months, resolution of student and/or faculty complaints, consultation with the Provost on grade appeals and other issues as needed. etc.)
2. Prepare and implements short- and long-term goals of the college to meet the University mission.
3. With approval from the Provost, assign Department Chairs to oversee academic department within the college.  Manage and evaluate their performance in accordance with established procedures.
4. Review class schedules with Department Chairs.
5. Oversee the management of college-level and department-level budgets.
6. Oversee recruitment, selection, promotion and retention of faculty based on criteria established through consultation and cooperation with the faculty and administration.
7. Make recommendations on faculty contract renewal, termination, promotion, tenure, and other personnel matters.
8. Develop and utilize a communications system to assure intra-college information exchange.
9. Create conditions conducive to the improvement of instruction and scholarly activity.
10. Attend meetings and activities requested by Provost or President.
11. Perform other duties as assigned by the Provost or by the President.
12. Cooperate and collaborate with various constituents within the University.
13. Maintain the currency of the college and its ability to meet changes in the needs of students and of society.  Institutes periodic studies of curriculum in relation to the college’s objectives and initiates improvements of the curriculum in all areas (general and advanced education) as needed.
14. Represents the college in professional associations, accrediting agencies, government entities, and the surrounding community. Supports faculty participation with professional organizations.

Advocacy

1. Serve as an advocate for the college and as a liaison between the college and the administration.
2. Assist with developing case documents that explain the college’s resource needs to potential donors.  In collaboration with the Office of Advancement, engage and communicate with donors when appropriate.